President of the ANC's veteran league, Snuki Zikalala, is among those who received the remains of their relatives who fought and died while in exile in Zambia four decades ago. Zikalala's wife's aunt, Edna Nomakosazana Magabaza, is among those whose remains were repatriated today and brought back home. Magabaza was a nurse by profession who worked in Zambia before relocating to Zimbabwe where she later died.
Our fallen struggle heroes and heroines have arrived from Zambia ?? and Zimbabwe ?? #RepatriationandLiberation #HeritageMonth2024 #OurHistoryOurStoryOurHeritage pic.twitter.com/yHuMa6NnwT
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) September 25, 2024
WELCOME HOME
The families of the fallen freedom fighters gathered at the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Centurion to receive their remains. Led by the Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Gayton Mackenzie and Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, families of the late stalwarts and freedom fighters convened at the Waterkloof Airforce Base to witness the arrival of the remains of those who fought side by side with them. According to the Department of Defence and Military Veterans, the mortal remains arrived this afternoon just after 5pm. "One of my wife's aunt is here. We went to identify her grave together with my wife in Zimbabwe about two weeks ago. So, she is one of those whose mortal remains will be brought here," Zikalala said,explaining that his relative was recruited by the ANC in 1964 to go work as a nurse for other exiled freedom fighters in Zambia. He said the family was preparing to re-bury her on South African soil, where she belongs.
HONOUR
Following the event today, a homecoming ceremony and the launch of the country-to-country repatriation model will be held on Friday at Freedom Park in Tshwane where President Cyril Ramaphosa will officially receive the repatriated remains. The homecoming ceremony will be hosted under this year's Heritage Month theme: "Celebrating the lives of our heroes and heroines who laid down their lives for our freedom."
